showrunner

noun

show·​run·​ner ˈshō-ˌrə-nər How to pronounce showrunner (audio)
variants or less commonly show-runner or show runner
plural showrunners also show-runners or show runners
: a person who oversees the writing and production of each episode of a television series and has ultimate managerial and creative control over the series
A showrunner is more than just a producer. … They are making decisions about casting, story arcs, as well as the day-to-day issues of getting a show done and ready for air.—G. Michael Dobbs

Examples of showrunner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Along with Curtis, the series was co-created by Gail Lerner, who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Butterworth is the writer and showrunner and Keane co-wrote the TV adaptation and is an associate producer. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026 Zoe Kazan is the writer and co-showrunner of the Netflix project, which stars Florence Pugh as anti-heroine Cathy Ames — a character sidelined in the 1955 film. — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Winter’s return follows the exit of season three showrunner Dave Erickson, a veteran of creator Taylor Sheridan‘s Mayor of Kingstown, who reportedly left the series after creatively conflicting with Stallone on the direction of the show. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showrunner

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of showrunner was in 1989

Rhymes for showrunner

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Browse Nearby Words

showroom
showrunner
show/see (someone) to the door
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Cite this Entry

“Showrunner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showrunner. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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